Mickael Gelabale will arguably be their second best player and should probably play more minutes than Batum or Pietrus. His game is better suited for Europe. In the Worlds last year Diaw and his out-of-shape game was a cancer to that team.

The problem with the French team is that although they are athletic they usually end up losing because they fail to make jumpshots. Iso favors the NBA game and in Europe when teams go zone France tends to get in trouble.

A major fallacy in evaluating teams in international competition is to assume that a great "roster" will be the best team. I think it has been proven in the last decade that a team full of "stars" frequently underperforms. This game has a lot more to do with chemistry and things such as ball movement.

It will be interesting to see Noah grab rebounds with Fiba rules. Don't underestimate European centers though. Guys like Javtokas are very physical.